[thadood]

After reading up on some of the features it has.. I'm floored. I really want to get it. However, having never used it, I'm wanting some opinions from people who have done the Logic thing.

How do you like it? Is it straight forward and easy to mix in? I'm moving from Mackie Tracktion, and, honestly, version 8 takes a LOT of what Tracktion does (a single screen, simple layout, etc), but improves upon it with better features, such as a dedicated mixing layout, which I'm really starting to want.. badly.

Anyway, at $199, I think it's a steal. This would be fuel to the fire for me to just get it out of my system.. format my Mac, goto Leopard, get Logic, and start fresh.

[Beowulf]

Do it. I've used Logic since version 7, and the new features in 8 are phenomenal. Frankly, there's nothing that competes. Pro Tools has to many limitations in LE and is to expensive as HD. The PC software such as Cubase just can't come close to the sheer volume of plugins and features and there's nothing except Sonar that can come close to Logic when it comes to MIDI. Let the naysayers say what they like, but this product gets perfect 10's in Computer Music and Future Music, and Sound on Sound seemed pretty floored even though they don't have a points system.

Go the whole distance and get Logic Studio my friend. Look back in awe at what everyone else has been putting up with for so many years and look on in awe as they still bleat that PC's can even vaguely compete with OS 10.5 and as they lay the continually disproved argument that Mac's are too expensive

Welcome to the future my friend

[Durero]

I've only used Logic so I can't compare, but I've been using it since version 5 and I must say this is the most amazing & worthwhile upgrade I can imagine.

It's always been an extremely powerful & flexible program, but now they're finally getting the ease-of-use thing down. Much much much clearer & easier to use interface than before.

I'd also recommend going for the Logic Studio package, but check out the upgrade pricing first - I'm pretty sure the upgrade is just the difference between the Express & Studio prices, so you have nothing to lose by trying Express first.


and +1 to everything Beowulf said

[thadood]

Originally Posted by Durero

I've only used Logic so I can't compare, but I've been using it since version 5 and I must say this is the most amazing & worthwhile upgrade I can imagine.

It's always been an extremely powerful & flexible program, but now they're finally getting the ease-of-use thing down. Much much much clearer & easier to use interface than before.

I'd also recommend going for the Logic Studio package, but check out the upgrade pricing first - I'm pretty sure the upgrade is just the difference between the Express & Studio prices, so you have nothing to lose by trying Express first.


and +1 to everything Beowulf said

I checked into the difference between Express and Studio..

I'd NEVER use Soundtrack 2 (for doing audio to video), nor Mainstage. For the $300 price difference.. it's not worth it. I can't find a difference in the main functionality. As long as I can get at least 32 tracks in express, I'm fine. It comes with a shit load of plugins compared to what I got with Mackie Tracktion 2. I already have my mine plugs, Izotope Ozone and Wave Arts Trackplug (couldn't live without this one.. such a great grouping of tools in one plug). What Logic 8 comes with is just friggen' icing on the cake, in my book.

[Durero]

That's totally cool man - sounds like Studio would be overkill for you. Still I would absolutely agree with you that Express is a frikin bargain for the power to price ratio. Go for it!

For me MainStage was a big draw as I happen to be designing a guitar that will benefit from it immensely.

btw I've found the Apple Training Series books on Logic to be great if that kind of thing interests you. I usually just jump straight in myself, but lately I've found that the little workflow tips I've gotten from these books have been worthwhile.

I'm sure you'll enjoy Logic

[thadood]

I'm sure something like that would help a lot. I'm all for learning absolute time saving features. I think that's what killed me.. the whole comping/substitution thing... where's that been all my life! That and the easily-programmable variable metronome.

I'm going to attempt to use my student discount and get $20 off on it, bringing it to $180.. even better!

[Beowulf]

The main functionality will be identical, but you won't have either Space Designer or Delay Designer - two plug-ins worth the fee alone. You also get all of the pre-sets from Mainstage in Logic, so regardless of whether you use Mainstage or not, its sounds can be accessed and used to record with. Even if you don't use the pre-sets, they will more than likely spark of creative ideas for segues and other musical passages.

Express with comes with considerably fewer Apple loops than the Studio edition (39GB in Studio - the cost of the packs alone would be more than Logic is to buy as a standalone Sequencer).

A number of Pro's plug-ins are also missing, including Multipressor and the Match EQ function. Logic's mastering app, Waveburner Pro, is also reserved for the Studio box, as Soundtrack Pro. Not having Soundtrack Pro in the Express box also means you are limited to Logic's limited audio editing tools, thus missing out on the neat round-trip editing and file processing workflow served up by Studio

You may be upgrading from what you know and be saying for now 'this is enough', but for the difference to what you may find yourself doing in a few months time when you have the hang of Express, I will still encourage you to go the whole journey and jump right in. If you're still thinking 'but....' so be it, but the cash difference is so small for the improvement....